ARAB-US RELATIONS - May 21 - More Allegations Of Iraq Torture.

Based on the testimony of 13 former Iraqi prisoners published along with photographs, in the Washington Post, the US faces fresh allegations of torture in Iraq, further undermining confidence in Pres Bush's handling of the postwar situation in Iraq and in the chances of a smooth transfer of power. The fresh allegations of torture at Baghdad's Abu Ghraib prison include the rape of an Iraqi boy, death threats and incidents of prisoners forced to retrieve food from toilets. Another group of Iraqi prisoners was released from the prison on May 21 in line with a US pledge earlier this week that a further 472 prisoners would be freed. The US military released 293 detainees from the prison a week ago. The fresh allegations follow an address by Pres. Bush to Republican lawmakers on May 20 aimed at reassuring that the transfer plans are on course. Bush said the handover to a caretaker government would mark a "complete passage of sovereignty" and that the Iraqi people were ready to "take the training wheels off" and assume political power from the US-led coalition.